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Hua'er, literally meaning flower, is a unique form of folk song among the Hui, Han, Dongxiang, Sala, Bao'an, Tu, Tibet and Yugu ethnic groups mainly prevailing in Northwest China including Gansu and Qinghai provinces and Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions.

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  Hua'er Meeting

Although Hua'er songs can often be heard almost anywhere at anytime in Qinghai, the most representative way of singing the songs with distinctive folk features is the famous "Hua'er Meeting," which is actually a carnival for the people in Hehuang. The meeting is a spontaneous activity that falls on the fifth and sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar and which can sometimes be attended by as many as hundreds of thousands.

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  Contest

At the peak of the Hua'er Meeting, pairs of man and woman singers usually perform in the antiphonal style. After they finish each ditty, the audience would toast to them, before continuing to sing. After a few rounds, those who cannot stick to the end will be eliminated, and the best singer will be selected to challenge the best of the neighboring group. The audience of each group will also escort the group's singer and cheer for the singer to join another one.

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  Classifications

There are mainly two sub genres of the art form: Hehuang Hua'er and Taomin Hua'er.

Hehuang Hua'er, also known as "Shaonian" (youth), mainly prevails in Hezhou of Gansu (currently Gansu's Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture) and the region along Qinghai's Huangshui River. This genre is more widespread and more influential with more audio and video releases.

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  Taboos of Hua'er

Because of the fervent and impassioned content of Hua'er lyrics, there used to be three taboos of performing the art form. First, Hua'er could not be sung in the village, let alone in the family. Second, Hua'er could not be performed between some relatives, especially the relatives of different gender and of different generations, such as parents and children, and an uncle and niece or nephew. Third, Hua'er could not be performed in public places like schools and government organizations. From these taboos, we can understand the grassroots nature of Hua'er.

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Author: Jeff

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